Storm-shield for vehicles.



C. P. WENSINGBR. STORM SHIELD FOR VEHICLES. APPLICATION FILEDJAN.10,1913.

Patented Dec. 2, 1913.

WITNESSES:

INVENTOB.

CHARLES F. WENSINGER, OF FREMONT, OHIO.

STORM-SHIELD FOR VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 2, 1913.

Application filed January 10, 1913. Serial No. 741,141.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. WEN- SINGER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of Fremont, in the county of Sandusky andState ofOhio, have invented a certain new and useful Storm-Shield for Vehicles;and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference markedthereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to storm shields for vehicles, and isparticularly intended for I embodies a w ndow casing or frame 5 in theuse in connection with top buggies, but is not restricted to such use,as it may be used in any connection for which it may be adapted orappropriate.

The primary object of my invention is the provision of a simple andefficient shield of this character, which is capable of being easily andquickly applied to or removed from a vehicle and of being compactlyfolded, when not in use, for shipping or storing, and which, when inuse, cooperates with the customary buggy top and side curtains toeffectually exclude the rain, wind or snow.

A further object of my invention is the provision of improved means forsupporting the frame of the shield, which means is easily adjustable tosuit the varying widths of buggy bodies, thus adapting it for universaluse on vehicles of this character without regard to the size of thebodies thereof.

A further object of the invention is the provision on a shield frame ofthe class described, of means which is adapted to ad justably coact withthe front cross-rib of the buggy top, when raised, to brace the shieldrelative to the top, and also foldable in compact form against theshield to facilitate a storing or shipping of the same.

The invention is fully described in the following specification, andwhile, in its broader aspect, it is capable of embodiment in numerousforms, a preferred embodiment thereof is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which,-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the body and raised top of a vehicleequipped with my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view ofthe storm shield frame em' bodying the invention mounted on a vehiclebody, a portlon of which is broken away,

the window of the shield being in raised position. Fig. 3 1s across-section taken on the line .70, a2 1n Fig. 2, and Flg. i 1s anenlarged central vertical section of the upper Referring to thedrawings, 1 designates a vehicle body having the customary dash 2 andtop 3, the latter being of the folding type and having the usualcross-ribs 4 of any desired number, as is well understood in the art.

The wind shield comprising my invention opening 6 on which is hung awindow 7,

which is preferably hinged at its upper edge to the frame to enable 1tto be swung rearward and upward when it is not desired to close thewindow frame opening, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the window being heldin its raised position as hereinafter described. The frame 5 issupported in proper relation to the vehicle body and top by standards 8,8, one of which is disposed at each side of the frame and extends fromnear the top thereof to a desired distance below the frame, beingpivoted, as at 9, to the lower corner of the frame by a bolt or in anyother suitable manner to enable the standard to have pivotal movementsrelative to the frame to place the lower ends thereof nearer or fartherapart as the width of the vehicle body to which the frame is'attachedmay require. The upper end portion of the stand ards 8 are disposed atthe rear side of window frame and are rigidly secured thereto by bolts10, each of which may be placed in any one of a series of apertures 11,provided in the respective side of the frame, to suit the adjustment ofthe standards on the pivots 9.

The lower ends of the standards 8, 8 are adjustably connected by a pairof cross-bars 12 which have their inner ends attached for relativelongitudinal sliding adjustment, as shown at 13, and their outer endsattached to the lower end portions of the respective standards 8 bybolts 14, or in any other suitable manner. The bolts 14 provide apivotal connection between the cross-bars and the standards, and may beinserted through any one of a series of vertically arranged apertures 15provided therefor in the standards to suit the height at which it may bedesired to support the frame 5 relative to the vehicle body. Thecross-bars 12 are intended to rest upon the top edge of the vehicle bodysides or upon the portions of the dashframe irons' which extendrearwardly over the front edge of the body, as shown at 16, and to berigidly secured to the dash-frame by the cooperative action of clampingblocks 17 and bolts 18, as best shown in Fig. 3. The bolts 18 extendthrough longitudinally disposed slots 19 in the respective bars 12 toenable them to be adjusted longitudinally of the bars as the width ofthe dash may require.

When the shield is in erected position on a vehicle body, the horizontalspace betweenthe upper edge of the window frame 5 and the front edge ofthe vehicle top 3, when raised, varies with different makes or styles ofvehicles, for in some the tops project farther forward than in others.To provide means for firmly connecting the upper portion of the shieldto the front edge of the top 3 in a manner to firmly brace the shieldrelative to the top and at the same time to make such bracing meansadjustable to suit the space between the top front and the shield, theshield frame 5 is provided at each side thereof adjacent to its top witha bracing arm 20, which is pivoted thereto for vertical swingingmovements as through the medium of a wall bracket 21. The arms 20- areadjustably supported at any desired degree of inclination relative tothe shield, in the present instance, by a U-shaped bracket member 22,which has its loop portion connecting the two arms 20 and journaled insuitable bearing openings provided in the outer ends thereof, and hasthe terminal portion of its legs bent, as shown at 23, to adapt them toproject vertically through apertures (not shown) provided in thehorizontally-projecting portions of brackets 24, which are secured tothe sides of the shield frame 5 below the brackets 21. The bent portions23 of the bracket legs are threaded to enable nuts 25 to be threadedthereon at opposite sides of the apertured portion of the bracket 24 tofirmly retain the bracket 22 in adjusted position relative to theshield. The bracing arms 20 are intended to bear upward on an inclineagainst the under side of the front cross-rib 4 of the vehicle top, andare held in firm contact therewith by a proper adjusting of the nuts 25on the legs of the bracket 22, as is obvious by reference to Figs. 2 and4. The upward inclining of the brace arms 20, as shown, causes them tocoact with the front cross-rib 4: of the top in such manner as toprevent a forward tipping of the windshield relative to the top, butdoes not prevent a turning back of the top relative to the windshield,as the plane of inclination of the brace arms is not so decided as toprevent the cross-rib 4 from swinging freely over the rear ends thereofupon a turning back of the top. The shield is braced against rearwardtilting movements relative to the top 3 by the provision on each arm 20of a longitudinally adjustable clamp 26 carrying a bolt member 27 forabutment against the front edge of the cross-rib 4:, such boltpreferably having its upper end of hooked form to adapt it to engageover the top edge of the rib, as shown in Fig. 4:.

The space between the front edge of the top and the upper portion of theshield is closed by a top extension strip or hood 28, which is formed ofany suitable material, preferably of a waterproof nature, and 1s ofsufficient Width for its rear edge to overlap the front edge portion ofthe top and for its front edge to project a short distance in advance ofthe shield top. The extension strip 28 has its forward edge reinforcedand stiffened by a bowed or U-shaped rod 29, which has its leg-sextending downward and rearward from a point in advance of the shieldand attached at their ends to the respective side edge of the shieldframe 5, as at 30, by screws or in any other suitable manner, as shownin Figs. 1 .and 4:. The rear edge of the extension strips 28 is drawnclosely over the top 3 preferably at the rear of the front rib 4. bystrips 31 which are attached to the rear edge of the extension stripnear the ends thereof and are adapted to engage around the customarystuds 32, which project from the upper front of the top sides. Thewindow 7 is provided on the rear portion of the sides thereof withspring catches 33, which are adapted, when the window is raised, toengage over the looped portion of the bracket 22 and to hold the windowin its raised position.

The front of the shield with the exception of the window opening 6therein, has its front side covered by a waterproof cloth or othersuit-able material 34, which is intended to hang down in front of thedash 2. The open side spaces between the side edges of the shield andtop are closed by curtains 35, which may be removably attached to theshield and top in any suitable manner. As

the manner of attaching the material 34 and side curtains 35 to therespective parts forms no part of the present invention, it will not bespecifically described;

In applying my improved storm shield to a vehicle the bars 12, whichadjustably connect the lower ends of the standards 8, 8 are placed onthe top edge of the vehicle body 1 in contact with the dash 2, and whenthe standards 8, 8 have been pivotally adjusted relative to the frame 5on the pivots 9 to suit the width of the body (the bolts 10 being firstremoved for such purpose), the connecting bars 12 are securely clampedin adjusted relation to the dash 2 by the clamping blocks 17 and bolts18. This being done, the upper ends of the standards 8, 8 are rigidlysecured to the shield frame by the insertion of the bolts 10 throughregistering apertures 11 therein. The height of the shield with relationto the vehicle body, to suit the height of the top, is also regulated byplacing the bolts 14, which connect the standards to the cross-bars 12,in desired apertures 15 in such standards. The brace arms 20 are thenforced up under the front crossrib 4c of the vehicle top, in contacttherewith, by an adjusting of the nuts 25 on the bent end portions 23 ofthe U-shaped bracket 22, thus causing the brace-arms 20 to coact withthe cross-rib 4 to prevent a forward movement of the shield relative tothe top. The stop means 2627 on each brace arm 20 is then adjusted toabut against the front side of the cross-rib 4 and secured in suchposition, whereby the top, when in raised position, serves to brace theshield against rearward movements relative thereto. The rear edge of thetop extension strip 28 is then drawn rearward over the front edge of thetop and drawn closely thereover by a tightening of the strips 31 aroundthe top parts 32.

It is obvious that my improved shield is capable of being easily andquickly attached to or removed from a vehicle without the removal orloosening of any clamping bolts or other retaining means with theexception of the bolts- 18, which serve to clamp the cross-bars 12, 12to the dash, and that the top, while serving, when in raised position,to brace the top portion of the shield against forward or rearwardmovements relative to the body, can be freely lowered without disturbingthe adjustment of the bracing connection between the top and shield. Itis also evident that the standards 8, 8 are capable of being easilyadjusted relative to the shield frame to vary the distance between thelower end portion thereof as the width of a vehicle body to which theshield is to be attached may require. When it is desired to place theshield in compact form for storing or shipping, the bent portions 23 ofthe bracketmember 22 may be removed from the supporting brackets 24 andthe bracket 22 and arms 20 then folded close to the frame insubstantially longitudinal re ister, one with the other, due to thepivotal connection of the arms 20 both with the shield frame and withthe bracket 22.

I wish it understood that my invention is not limited to any specificconstruction or arrangement of the parts except in so far as suchlimitations are specified in the claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is,

1. The combination with a vehicle body and dash, of a storm shieldframe, supporting standards pivotally attached to the lower side edgeportions of said frame and having their upper ends extending above theirpivots to adjacent to the upper portion of the frame, an adjustableconnection between the lower end portions of said standards adapted torest on the top edge of the vehicle body, and means for clamping saidconnection to the dash.

2. The combination with a vehicle body and dash, of a storm shieldframe, supporting standards for said frame disposed adjacent to oppositeside edges thereof and extending from near the top of the frame to adistance below the same and being pivoted to the lower portion of theframe for swinging movements to permit a varying of the space betweenthe lower end portions thereof, means for adjustably securing the upperend portions of the standards to the frame, means carried by the lowerend portions of said standards for lengthwise adjustment relativethereto and forming an adjustable connection between the standardsadapted to rest on the top edge of the vehicle body, and clamping meanscarried by said connecting means for securing it to the dash.

3. A storm shield having a body frame, abracing arm pivoted to andprojecting rearwardly from the upper portion of said frame, asingle-piece bracket member pivotally attached to said arm and attachedto the frame to adjustably brace the arm relative thereto, said arm andbracket being foldable in compact form relative to the v frame.

4. A shield of the class described having a body frame, arms pivoted toand projecting rearwardly from the upper portion of said frame, and aU-shaped bracket member having its loop journaled in said arms in spacedrelation to their pivots and having its legs adjustably attached to theframe below the points of attaching of the arms thereto, whereby thebracket is capable of adjustment relative to the frame to vary thedirection of projection of the arms therefrom. i

In combination, a vehicle body and top, a shield mounted on and risingfrom the front portion of the vehicle body, means projecting from therear side of the shield and having rearwardly inclined contact with theunder side of the front edge of the top to coact therewith to prevent aforward tilting of the shield, said top being free to lower withoutdisturbing the adjustment of said means relative to the shield, andmeans carried by said first means and freely abutting against said topto prevent a rearward tilting movement of the shield relative to thetop.

6. In combination, a vehicle body and top,

a storm shield mounted on and rising from 7 the front portion of thebody, and means foldably carried by the shield and adjustable to bear upagainst the under side of the front portion of the top on a rearwardincline to brace the shield against forward movements relative to thetop, and having an adjustable part for coacting with the front edge ofthe top to brace the shield against rearward movements relative thereto.

7. folding top, a storm shield rising from the front portion of thebody, arms pivotally projecting from the rear side of the shield beneaththe front portion of the top in rearward inclined contact therewith, aU-shaped bracket member pivotally attached to said arms and adjustablyattached to the shield to adjust the inclination of the arms and holdthem in adjusted position whereby the arms coact with the front portionof the top to prevent a forward movement of the shield relative thereto,and means adjustable on said arms for coacting with the front edge ofthe top to cooperate therewith to brace the shield against rearwardmovements relative to the top when the top is in raised position, saidtop being capable of having rearward folding movements relative to theshield without disturbing the adjustment of said arms and means.

In combination, a vehicle body and havlng a body frame, an arm pivotedto 8. Incombination, a vehicle body and top, a storm shield rising fromthe front portion of the body, means projecting rearwardly from theshield and loosely coacting with the front portion of the top to bracethe shield against movements relative thereto, a' window hinged to theshield forvertical opening movements, and means carried by the windowfor coacting with said means to hold the Window in raised position.

9. A storm shield of the class described and projecting rearwardly fromthe upper portion of said frame, an apertured bracket fixed to saidframe below the pivot of said arm and a second arm pivoted to the firstarm in spaced relation to its pivot and extending downwardly andforwardly from its point of pivotal connection with said first arm, theforward end of said second arm being projected through the aperture ofsaid bracket, and means for adjusting. said second arm relative to thebracket to vary the inclination of said first arm.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name to thisspecification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES F. VENSINGER. WVitnesses:

S. T. KLorz, C. WV. OWEN.

Copies of this patent may beobtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). C.

